Please subscribe devotional materials directly from Joel Osteen, Rick Warren, Kenneth Copeland, Joyce Meyer and Our Daily Bread Ministries official website. This site is mainly an archive of devotion materials for reference with sole purpose to encourage believers with the WORD of GOD and to invite many to turn to GOD through CHRIST JESUS as their Saviour and LORD.

Language Translator

Saturday, June 17, 2017

The Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love. Psalm 147:11

On the two-hour drive home from a family member’s wedding, my mom asked me for the third time what was new in my job. I once again repeated some of the details as if telling her for the first time, while wondering what might possibly make my words more memorable. My mom has Alzheimer’s, a disease that progressively destroys the memory, can adversely affect behavior, and eventually leads to the loss of speech—and more.

I grieve because of my mom’s disease but am thankful she is still here and we can spend time together—and even converse. It thrills me that whenever I go to see her she lights up with joy and exclaims, “Alyson, what a pleasant surprise!” We enjoy each other’s company; and even in the silences when words escape her, we commune together.

This perhaps is a small picture of our relationship with God. Scripture tells us, “The Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love” (Ps. 147:11). God calls those who believe in Jesus as their Savior His children (John 1:12). And although we may make the same requests over and over again or lack for words, He is patient with us because He has a loving relationship with us. He is happy when we converse with Him in prayer—even when the words escape us.

Dear Lord, it thrills us that You want to have a relationship with us! Thank You for the opportunity to learn of You through the Bible and to talk with You in prayer.

Psalm 147 is the second of five hymns of praise in Psalms 146–150 that begin and end with the refrain “Praise the Lord” (Hebrew, Hallelujah). The psalmist invites us to “sing to the Lord with grateful praise” (v. 7), celebrating His goodness as He draws us to Himself, heals us of our brokenness, sustains us, and builds us up (vv. 2–3, 6). Clearly we are much loved and cared for. We are also to praise His greatness in creation for it displays His mighty power (vv. 4–5) and His care for His creatures (vv. 8–9). Focusing not only on God’s glory but also on His grace, the psalmist tells us that we need not be afraid to draw near to God. On the contrary, God wants us to come to Him. For “the Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love” (v. 11).

How has God shown His greatness and goodness to you this week? Thank Him through grateful praise.